Two Triumphant Trips in the Volvo XC60 T8 Recharge
Mark Keohane, Head of Content at Habari Media, details the driving experience over 10 days and nearly 1000km, behind the wheel of the Volvo XC60 T8 Recharge.
A busy two weeks for my family allowed for a lot of time to get to grips with Volvo’s XC60 T8 Recharge. Having driven a few of the Swedish manufacturer’s latest all-electric offerings, the XC60 T8, with its plug-in hybrid (PHEV) DNA, was a welcome companion. Getting away from the office in time and setting our three-year-old daughter up for a two-hour-plus road trip is a lot to handle in itself, finding fast charging stations outside of the city and time to get the vehicle fully charged before departure is an additional factor that can prove stressful at times.
So, I’m a fan of plugin hybrid systems, and packaged in the understated luxury unique to Volvo’s classic design cues, the XC60 T8 Recharge is an epic SUV. I talk about preparing for a weekend away being “stressful”, but it is far from real stress, just a lot of moving parts sometimes, and we were very lucky to get two-weekend trips in a row, and a real sense of the T8, taking it far up the N2 on the first weekend, and navigating the N1 a week later.
Our first trip was a familiar adventure into the Overberg, to our favourite destination; the Arniston Hotel in Arniston. Three hours up the N2 on a Friday afternoon can be an uncomfortable drive, but that was far from the case on this particular trip, one that proved to be more about the Volvo experience than the weekend festivities, especially in the way the vehicle handled the taxing and difficult driving conditions on our way back.
We found out that The Arniston Hotel has recently installed two TeltoCharge 22kW AC chargers, thanks to the efforts of renewable energy company, Rubicon. The Arniston Hotel’s chargers are one installation amid a recent expansion of South Africa’s charging station network, and the placement suits my family perfectly, given we try to make it up there at least once every two months. It was an eventful weekend for the XC60 T8 recharge, as it became the first vehicle to beer make use of the new Arniston Hotel chargers before being subjected to a harrowing drive home.
The driving conditions back from Arniston to Cape Town were horrendous in the one hour stretch from Bredarsdorp to Caledon and then between Houwhoek and Sir Lowry’s pass, because of intense mist. One could barely see 10 metres in front, but the comfort of the Volvo’s on-road manners and the knowledge of the brand’s characteristic safety features eased the anxiety as there was just enough visibility to be safe on the roads. Intellisafe Assist (includes City Safety with pedestrian, cyclist and large animal detection and front and rear collision warning with full auto brake) Intelligent Driver Information System (IDIS), Road Sign Information (RSI), Lane Keeping Aid (LKA) and Volvo On Call (VOC) are the primary features offered in the XC60 that give any driver and their family added comfort on the road.
A week later we would swap the N2 for the N1 and make the trip to Barrydale and a weekend at the Karoo Art Hotel to enjoy, among other things, the Springboks beating Ireland in the season’s home first Test.
The N1 is so much more enjoyable than any N2 experience. The mountain views are stunning, the trek through the Du Toit’s Kloof Tunnel is always a pleasure and the entry into Montagu is magical. Just in that opening stretch it is as if one is transported to a land of wonder, such is the magnificence of the rocky surroundings that feel as if they are a touch away. This route allowed for a better showcase of the Volvo’s performance pedigree. Despite the T8’s modest appearance, the 4-cylinder hybrid twin-engine pushes out – a seemingly excessive – 340 kW and 709 N.m. Of course, we couldn’t and wouldn’t make use of all that power at national speed limits (and driving with a three-year-old in the back one is always more conservative), but the power delivery is wonderfully smooth, giving a rapid and responsive surge as the vehicle transitions from electric to petrol at higher speeds. The economic benefits of the hybrid system when it comes to saving on petrol are not to be ignored either.
The trip to Barrydale was bliss, in terms of weather and driving comfort. The trip back was the antithesis, as it coincided with the start of level 8 storms on the way back to Cape Town. If the mist to Caledon and beyond was nerve-wracking then the rain for the nearly four-hour duration was an examination of my driving, my concentration and my bloody nerves. Fortunately, I was driving a pretty special vehicle and there was a sense of reassurance despite the diabolical weather conditions and the madness of so many on the roads.
I’m a huge fan of the XC60 T8 Recharge. It speaks to a customer concerned with elegance and functionality, but it over-delivers when it comes to performance. The modest appearance, and comfortable, subtle interior may lull you into the expectation of mild performance. Far from the case. Volvo’s hybrid offering remains a wonderful choice in the luxury SUV segment, and the perfect companion for those seeking a greener form of transport, but not wanting to switch to a fully electric vehicle just yet, especially given the still relatively small EV charging network in South Africa.
Fast Facts: Volvo XC60 T8 Recharge
- Price: R1,388,000.00 including 15% VAT
- Engine: Twin Engine (PHEV)
- Power: 340 kW (233+107)
- Torque: 709 Nm (400+309)
- Gearbox: 8-speed Geartronic AWD + ERAD (Electric Rear Axle Drive)
- 0 – 100 km/h: 4.8 seconds
- Fuel consumption: 1.6* litres per 100 km
- Emissions: 37* g/km CO2
- Fuel capacity: 71 litre fuel tank
- Warranty: 5-year / 100,000 km warranty
- Maintenance: 5-year / 100,000 km full maintenance plan
* Weighted figure between electric and petrol driving according to EU/WLTP regulations for PHEV vehicles.